Cyclists Set out their Demands ahead of Election 2016!

With the general election just around the corner, cyclists have set out their political demands!

Our vision is for everyday cycling to be normal part of life for all ages and abilities (the ‘8 to 80’ cohort as it is sometimes put) – very similar to the ways it is in many northern European countries. Remember also that #COP21 is a game changer – we need radical reductions in CO2 emissions from the Irish transport sector!

We want all political parties to commit to these two overarching aims:

Allocate at least 10% of transport funding to cycling

Implement the NCPF in full (initiated in 2009 it has only four years to run – time is ticking on actions/objectives not realised so far)

Additionally and more specifically, we must:

Achieve at least 10% of all journeys by bike by 2020 [It is currently only at 1.6% at a national level]

Appoint a National Cycling Officer in the Dept of Transport [This is a crucial step in being able to implement the NCPF effectively.]

Upskill An Garda Síochána to understand cycling so as to address (1) dangerous overtaking (2) illegal parking in cycle tracks; see #free-the-cycle-lanes

Provide mandatory cycle training in all primary and secondary schools

Introduce compulsory certificate of professional competence (CPC) for all taxi/hackney drivers by end 2017

Over the coming weeks, election candidates will be knocking on your door. Please relay the above points to them, explain why everyday cycling makes so much sense, and do feel free to share, tweet and post our graphic to get its message out there.

Cyclist.ie and its constituent local campaigns, and festivals will be working hard to ensure that all political parties understand the issues and see the value of putting the bicycle at the heart of transport and public health policies. If you support our work representing cyclists, please considering joining Dublin Cycling Campaign or, if you are outside the capital and not resident near a local campaign group, Cyclist.ie – the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network. This support makes a real difference is enabling voluntary organisations with their work. Thank you!

1. There is strong evidence (notably from Australia & New Zealand) that making helmets mandatory discourages cyclists
2. The efficacy of helmets is questionable – see links on this site (Health & Safety)
3. Calls for helmets etc. smack of a “blame-the-victim” mindset …

I would also object the introduction of a general 30 km/h urban speed limit. Looking at the countries safest for cyclists none of them require such a limit. On the other hand the move would further antagonize motorists who are, let’s face it, a much more powerful political force. The best way to increase safety is to establish cycling as an integral part of mobility culture, and not as something considered “a minority being a nuisance to everyone else.” Saying that, I’m not opposed to a selective 30 km/h speed limit for high risk areas (especially estates where it would also benefit safety of say children playing).

@Eithne
Making helmets compulsory for people on bikes only sends out the message that cycling is dangerous. Just to be clear, cycling isn’t dangerous. No more dangerous than walking. In Ireland between 3-5 times more pedestrians are killed by vehicles every year than cyclists. Do you also propose compulsory helmets for pedestrians?

How would compulsory helmets and special clothes make cycling more accessible for more people? Answer: It wouldn’t.

@Jesko
The introduction of the 30kph isn’t about cyclists – it’s about everyone that lives in urban areas. Toddlers, kids, teenagers, adults, disabled, senior citizens. Everyone! Everyone, no matter how they get around their neighborhood. The call for 30kph in urban areas is being made by non-cycling groups also.

Don’t let the discussion about safer everyday cycling get hi-jacked by the fairly pointless argument over mandatory helmet wear. If people feel safer wearing them they should be allowed to wear them without being sneered at. However many cycling activists and active cyclists will agree with Chris Boardman when he says that helmets are not even in the top ten of issues to do with cycling safety. http://road.cc/content/news/111258-chris-boardman-helmets-not-even-top-10-things-keep-cycling-safe